Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka Named 2025 Laureus World Athletes of the Year

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were named the 2025 Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at the 26th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards gala, held on April 20, 2026, at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid. Alcaraz, 22, won the top male honor after a 2025 season in which he claimed Roland Garros and the US Open and finished the year as world number one with 71 victories and nine defeats. Sabalenka, 27, took the female award after finishing 2025 as world number one for the second consecutive year, reaching three Grand Slam finals and winning the Australian Open. The ceremony, held in the Spanish capital for the third consecutive year, brought together legends and current stars of world sport to celebrate achievements across multiple categories. Alcaraz appeared on stage wearing a splint on his right wrist, the result of an injury sustained during the Trofeo Conde de Godó in Barcelona that had already forced him to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open.

„Winning two Grand Slams and being number one in the world is what I have dreamed of since I was little, but I think about the difficult moments and everything I have been learning, that is why this award is so emotional for me. Athletes who have inspired me have received it and to be able to say that my name is part of this is a dream.” — Carlos Alcaraz via RTVE.es

The Laureus World Sports Awards have been presented since 2000, inspired by Nelson Mandela's declaration that sport has the power to change the world, a statement that remains a fixture of every ceremony. Alcaraz had previously won the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award in 2023. The 2026 gala marked the third consecutive year Madrid hosted the event. Armand Duplantis of Sweden had won the Sportsman of the Year award in 2025 and was among the nominees attempting to repeat.

Alcaraz beats Sinner, Pogačar and Márquez to claim top honor Alcaraz prevailed over a field of nominees that included Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar, Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Márquez, and French footballer Ousmane Dembélé. Sinner, who was present at the gala, had defeated Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 final in early April, ending Alcaraz's run of 22 (consecutive weeks) — Alcaraz held world number one ranking at the top of the ATP rankings. The award was presented to Alcaraz by former footballers Iker Casillas and Luis Figo, both serving as presenters at the ceremony. Alcaraz, currently ranked world number two, holds 26 ATP titles and won eight tournaments in 2025 alone, including Tokyo, Cincinnati, Queens, Roland Garros, Rome, Monte Carlo, Rotterdam, and the US Open. With his wrist injury casting doubt over his participation at Roland Garros, Alcaraz told Teledeporte before the ceremony that the next medical tests would be decisive.

„I will keep this moment in my heart forever.” — Carlos Alcaraz via LaSexta

Sabalenka beat a strong field of female nominees that included Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmatí, American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin, Kenyan middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon, and American swimmer Katie Ledecky. Her 2025 US Open victory made her the first tennis player since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the title in New York. Sabalenka admitted to nerves upon receiving the award.

„In all sports there are inspiring women who also deserve this award.” — Aryna Sabalenka via RTVE.es

Carlos Alcaraz: World No. 1 (tennis), Jannik Sinner: World No. 2 (tennis), Armand Duplantis: World record holder (pole vault), Tadej Pogačar: World champion (cycling), Marc Márquez: MotoGP world champion, Ousmane Dembélé: Champions League winner (football)

Lamine Yamal claims newly created Young Athlete award Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal won the newly created Young Athlete of the Year award, becoming the first recipient of the category and the only footballer alongside Leo Messi to have won two Laureus awards. Yamal had won the Breakthrough of the Year award at the previous edition and was recognized this time for a campaign in which he was decisive in Barcelona winning the 2025 La Liga title, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa del Rey. The award was presented to him by former footballers and Laureus ambassadors Ruud Gullit and Cafu. British Formula One driver Lando Norris won the Breakthrough of the Year award after becoming the 2025 Formula One world champion. Former German midfielder Toni Kroos received the Sporting Inspiration Award, with the ceremony's presenter Novak Djokovic inviting him to the stage alongside Chinese skier Eileen Gu.

„The most important thing is that I have not won this award for playing in the best team in the world, but for what has happened off the field. Things are getting worse and worse in the world and if together we defend the right values for peace, unite generations and give the right values we can take a great step forward.” — Toni Kroos via RTVE.es

PSG wins Team of the Year after historic Champions League triumph Paris Saint-Germain claimed the Laureus World Team of the Year award after a 2025 season in which the club won six titles, including the Champions League, the European Super Cup, and all domestic competitions, culminating in a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Brazilian swimmer Gabriel Araújo won the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award after winning three gold medals at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships and setting a world record in the 1,500 meters. Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy received the Comeback of the Year award after successfully defending his Masters title. Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci received the Legend Award, presented to her by her husband Bart Conner, with American gymnast Simone Biles introducing the presentation. The gala drew a roster of sporting legends as presenters and guests, including Novak Djokovic, Iker Casillas, Luis Figo, Ruud Gullit, and Cafu, underlining the ceremony's standing as one of the most prominent annual gatherings in world sport.

„I want to thank God and my family for everything we are building. Being here is a dream. I hope this award is the first of many and that we continue making history.” — Gabriel Araújo via France 24

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